Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Recipe
A fresh and vibrant pear salad featuring mixed greens, thinly sliced fennel, ripe pears, a medley of nuts, dried cranberries, and shaved pecorino cheese, all brought together with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This salad offers a perfect balance of sweet, crunchy, and savory flavors, ideal for a light lunch or as a side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 ripe pears, sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced paper thin
- 1 lemon wedge (for squeezing)
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts (or additional pecans or walnuts)
- ⅓ cup shaved pecorino cheese
Dressing
- Balsamic vinaigrette, for drizzling
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Arrange the mixed salad greens on a large serving platter or in a serving bowl to create the foundation of your salad.
- Add pears and fennel: Top the greens evenly with the sliced pears and thinly sliced fennel bulb. Squeeze the lemon wedge over them to add brightness and prevent the pears from browning, then gently toss the ingredients to combine.
- Add nuts and cheese: Sprinkle the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts evenly over the salad. Then add the shaved pecorino cheese on top for a sharp, salty contrast.
- Dress and season: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the entire salad. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss lightly if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pears that are ripe but firm for the best texture.
- Fennel can be substituted with celery for a different crunch.
- To save time, purchase pre-shaved pecorino cheese or a similar hard cheese like Parmesan.
- Balsamic vinaigrette can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the greens and pears.
Keywords: pear salad, balsamic vinaigrette, mixed greens, fennel, nuts, pecorino cheese, dried cranberries, healthy salad
